Multi-container trash compactor

ABSTRACT

This application discloses an extrusion type refuse compactor in which waste is compacted and discharged in a horizontal direction and is collected in a series of conventional vertical refuse containers. The apparatus includes a deflection plate and a horizontally sliding door which acts to apply a force on the compacted refuse slug encouraging the refuse to break at natural separation points and to prevent the discharge of refuse while the refuse containers are being repositioned. The disclosure also includes a multiple container carriage positioning system such that when a container is full, the carriage system indexes a new receptacle beneath the compactor outlet door.

United States Patent Lewis 1 1 Oct. 21, 1975 [54] MULTI-CONTAINER TRASHCOMPACTOR 3,608,476 9/1971 Price et a1 100/49 X i 3,659,427 5/1972 Harza100/218 X [75] lnvemor- Mchael Lew, F6110, 3,722,403 3 1973 Longo100/218 x [73] Assignee: Flinchbaugh Products, Inc., Red

Lion, Pa. Primary Examiner-Billy J. Wilhite [22] Filed: y 2, 1974Attorney, Agent, or F1rm-Blum, Moscovltz, Friedman & Kaplan [211 Appl.No.: 466,237

[57] ABSTRACT [52] U.S. Cl 100/45; 53/124 E; 100/49; i applicationdiscioses an extrusion type refuse 2 loo/53; loo/1889 loo/218 compactorin which waste is compacted and dis- [51] Int. Cl. B30B 15/32 Charged ina horizontal direction and is coiiected in a [58] Fleld M Search loo/45series of conventional vertical refuse containers. The

loo/49; 53/124 D1 124 124 124 T5 apparatus includes a deflection plateand a horizontally sliding door which acts to apply a force on the [56]References C'ted compacted refuse slug encouraging the refuse to breakUNITED STATES PATENTS at natural separation points and to prevent thedis- 2,5s7,997 3/1952 Guettler 100/218 x Charge of refuse While therefuse Containers are being 3,134,344 5/1964 Lundell repositioned. Thedisclosure also includes a multiple 3,274,957 9/1966 Goolsby et a1container carriage positioning system such that when a 0 11/1966Peterson container is full, the carriage system indexes a new re-3,481,268 12/1969 Price et a1 100/218 X ceptacie beneath the CompactorOutlet dooi 3,521,553 7/1970 Smolka et al. 100/218 X 3,538,844 11/1970Howard 100/218 X 4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 2 I i 1 l 46 i m f2 I J! I!S l (L I:

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US. Patent Oct. 21, 1975 Sheet2of2 3,913,474

FIG. 3.

FIG. 4.

34 ZZZ 3/ 5 so: ENO/D VALVE HYDRAULIC Pksssdu mess. nv sew m I02 FULL BG ALL BAGS ALL //2 nvasx RELAY FULL P SIG/VAL MULTI-CONTAINER TRASHCOMPACTOR The present invention relates to refuse compaction systems andmore particularly to a refuse compactor utilizing a horizontal extrusioncompactor arrangement in combination with vertical receptacles that arecapable of automatic operation.

A common limitation in many prior art compaction systems incorporatingthe more efficient horizontal extrusion type compactor arrangement isthe unavailability of multi-container or large capacity materialhandling systems to accommodate compacted refuse. Prior art compactorsof this type have incorporated a plastic tubular membrane or sausagethat is filled with compressed refuse as it leaves the compactor outlet.Periodically, this column of refuse must be cut, tied at both ends ofthe cut and removed. This operation involves substantial spillage of therefuse as well as difficulty in cutting the compacted material at anyparticular point.

Further, compactor systems of this type generally require a conveyorsystem to support the column of compacted refuse. Necessarily, aconveyor arrangement greatly increases the length of the compactorsystem. Size is a critical factor in the compactor field since it isimportant that these devices be usable in smaller multi-familydwellings. In many such applications, the compactor is required as areplacement for an incinerator and as such must be capable of beinginstalled and operated in nearly the same space envelope. The sausage"arrangement, although capable of operating for substantial periods oftime without supervision, cannot be conveniently emptied when necessaryand requires an area larger than that normally available in manyapplications.

Another prior art receptacle system for use with this type of compactoris the single bag or can that is placed over the cylindrical outlet ofthe compactor. Although this system is neater than the sausage, itsuffers from the inability to operate unattended for substantial periodsof time, since once the single receptacle is filled, the machine must bestopped or recycled and a new receptacle placed in position.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a spaceefficient compaction system that is capable of reasonably long,unsupervised operation in spite of its compact size.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a means ofutilizing a horizontal extrusion type compactor in combination with anautomatic container feed system employing conventional type verticalwaste receptacles.

In accomplishing these and other objects, applicants compaction systemincorporates a cyclical horizontal compactor section in combination witha plurality of vertical receptacles and a receptacle handling systemwhich automatically positions the receptacle adjacent to a compactoroutput port. An oblique deflection plate is positioned adjacent to theoutput port over the receptacle to be filled and a horizontal slidingdoor is provided beneath the output port under the deflection plate.Applicant has found that the output of a cyclical extrusion compactor isactually a continuous stream of separable slugs of material with theadhesion between slugs being substantially less than adhesion ofmaterial within a slug. In applicants device, these slugs are encouragedto separate by the downward force provided by impingement on the obliquedeflection plate. If this fails, individual slugs are separated byaction of the sliding door which applies a longitudinal force betweenslugs to separate them. The sliding door simultaneously provides aclosing mechanism to prevent discharge of refuse during the replacementcycle of the receptacles.

The above brief description, as well as other objects, features andadvantages of the present invention, will be more fully appreciated byreference to the following detailed description of a presentlypreferred, but nonetheless illustrative embodiment in accordance withthe present invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation, partially cut away, of the refuse compactionsystem according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan sectional view of the compaction system takensubstantially along line 2-2 in FIG. 1, and looking in the direction ofthe arrows;

FIG. 3 is a front sectional view of the compaction system, takensubstantially along the line 33 in FIG. 1, and looking in the directionof the arrows; and,

FIG. 4 is a pictorial schematic diagram of the hydraulic and electricalsystems actuating the compaction system.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, there is shown an automaticrefuse compaction system according to the present invention which isgenerally designated by the numeral 8. This compaction system includes acyclical compactor 10 having a cylindrical outlet tube 12 to which isfastened a refuse guide assembly generally designated 14. This assemblyis composed of a deflection plate 16 and a horizontally operative doorassembly 18 beneath the deflection plate. A vertical container 20 ispositioned below the deflection plate in a container feed assembly 22.The compactor apparatus 10 as shown in FIG. 1 is an hydraulic ram,extrusion-type cyclical compactor. As used herein, a cyclical compactoris one in which the refuse is compacted in a series of discreteoperations which are repeated such that the output of refuse iscomprised of a column of separable slugs.

The compactor 10 is located below the lower end of a refuse chute, forexample, in a multiple-family dwelling, such that refuse will enter ahopper 28 and fall into the receiving chamber 30 of the compactor. Alight source 32 is mounted on one outer side wall of the receiverchamber with a photoelectric relay 34 mounted on the opposite side wall,as shown in FIG. 2. When refuse interrupts the light beam, the hydrauliccylinder 36 is activated causing the ram 38 to move forward along thehorizontal axis. The motion of the ram causes the refuse to pass fromthe receiving chamber through a transition section 40 where the refuseis extruded and consequently compressed to about 78% of its originalvolume. This system is described in greater detail in U.S. Pat. No.3,541,949.

When the ram 38 completes its travel, the hydraulic cylinder retractscausing the ram to return to the position shown in FIG. 1. When therefuse in the receiving chamber 30 again interrupts the light beam, theram is caused to move forward again, repeating the cycle. Eventually,the compacted refuse 42 fills the entire compactor outlet 12, and witheach successive stroke of the ram, is caused to advance toward theterminus 44 of the compactor outlet.

Due to the cyclical operation of the compactor, the compacted refuseforms into slugs of diameter equal to the diameter of the outlet 12 andthe thickness is just a few inches. These slugs adhere together to forman apparently continuous cyclical output. However, the adhesion betweeneach slug is of lower magnitude than the cohesion between the materialcomprising each particular slug and consequently there is a naturalbreak line 46 created between adjacent separable slugs. When the slugtravels beyond the outlet terminus 44, the column of compacted refuse iscantilevered until sufflcient weight of refuse is extending beyond theoutlet 12 to cause the slug to fracture along the natural break line 46and to fall into a vertical receptacle positioned therebelow.

When the cohesion is too great, the weight of the cantilevered slug willnot be enough to cause separation and the slug will advance beyond theoutlet tube terminus. To break a slug of this type a deflection plate 16is located obliquely to the horizontal axis of the outlet. When thecolumn of separable slugs hits the deflection plate 16, the obliquesurface of the deflection plate imparts a vertical force component tothe refuse, which may be sufficient to cause the separation of therefuse.

The horizontally operative door assembly 18 is located beneath thedeflection plate 16. The door assembly 18 slides within a track formedby angle iron pieces 19 welded to both sides of the adapter assembly 14and forming a track. The door assembly is moved longitudinally by anhydraulic cylinder 48. This hydraulic cylinder is operatively connectedwith the ram actuating hydraulic cylinder 36 in such a manner that whenthe ram cylinder is extended, the door cylinder is retracted.Consequently, when the ram 38 moves forward in its compacting stroke,the door 18 is caused to move rearwardly, opening the bottom surface ofthe assembly 14 to allow refuse to fall into the container 20 below.

In some instances the adhesion between the adjacent slugs of compactedrefuse in the column of refuse is too great for the separation to becaused by the combination of the weight of the cantilevered column andthe vertical deflection caused by the intersection with the deflectorplate. In such instance the column.0f compacted refuse will protrudebeyond the bottom-most surface of the assembly 14. The leading edge 50of the door 18 is curved downward and blunted to engage the column ofcompacted refuse in such a manner that the leading edge 50 of door 18will apply a tensile load on the column of compacted refuse 52,encouraging a separation.

When the ram 38 is forced to return to its initial rearward position,the door 18 assumes its closed position. In this orientation, the outletof the compactor is closed preventing inadvertent ejection of refuse.

A vertical container 20 located beneath the door assembly 18 receivesslugs of compacted refuse that fall off due to its cantilevered weight,the deflection and separation after contact with the deflection plate orthe tensile force separation of protruding refuse caused by the leadingedge 50 of the closing door assembly 18.

To utilize the space most efficiently, a multiple of containers 20 areoperatively connected to a mechanism for indexing the containers along acontinuous elliptical path on top of the lower base plate 66. Eachcontainer 20 is serially advanced to position beneath the door 18 of theassembly 14 to receive the compacted refuse. The containers are drivenby a container feed assembly 22 which is comprised of a long rollerchain 78 driven by a shorter roller chain 60 powered by an electric gearmotor 56. Specifically, the gear. motor 56 drives a sprocket 58, a shortlength of drive roller chain 60 and a driven sprocket 62keyed to a jackshaft 64. The jack shaft is located between coaxial bushings in thelower base plate 66 and the forward horizontal support plate 68 weldedto the forward central support column 69. Also keyed to the jack shaftis a larger diameter sprocket 70. At the rear of the feed assembly, anidler sprocket 72'of similar diameter to the sprocket is mounted on ashort shaft 74 located between coaxial bushings in the lower base plate66 and the rear horizontal support plate 76 welded to the rear centralsupport column 71. A length of roller chain 78 is operatively mountedupon the drive and idlersprockets such that an elliptical path isfollowed by the chain as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Each of the multiplecontainers 20 has an inner surface 20a upon which, midway between thetwo adjacent sides 20b to the inner surface and at a height equal to thedistance of theroller chain 78 above the base plate 66, is located aconnecting bracket 80 between the container .20 and the roller chain 78.

The operation of the container feed system is as follows: the signalsystem of the automatic compaction system, activates the motor 56. Thesprocket 58 mounted on the output shaft of the motor 56 causes the shortdrive chain 60 to turn the jack shaft. The jack shaft turns the drivesprocket 62, keyed thereto, causing the long chain 78 to move'and thecontainers rotate to the next position.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show the orientation and configuration of the containerfeed assembly 22 relative to the width of the compactor element 10.Also, the details of the support structure are shown. The lower baseplate 66 has welded to it the front and rear central support column 69and 71. At the top of each support column is welded a lateral supportchannel member 82. Between these lateral supports are weldedlongitudinal side rail channels 84. To the upper short leg of the twoside rail channels are fastened a multitude of upright struts 86. Thesestruts connect the compactor element l0 to the support structure. FIG. 2also shows the access at 88 in the adapter assembly 14 which containstwo heavy duty hinges 91 which allow the hatch to be readily opened toremove obstructions in the outlet area that may disrupt the operation ofthe compaction system. The containers 20 are provided with a door 92 onthe outer wall 200 of the container. Each door is mounted by two hinges94 which allow the removal of the compacted refuse in disposable liners96 from within the containers without interference with the supportstructure directly above. The location of the door 92 on the outer wall200 ofthe containerallows removal of the filled liner from the container20 in any position around the elliptical path. I a

FIG. 4 picton'ally represents the control system for the automaticcompaction system which includes the hydraulic ram cylinder 36, thehydraulic door cylinder 48 and the electrical container feed rhotoractuation system. When refuse breaks the light beam to the photoelectricrelay 34, the solenoid valve 100 is activated causing hydraulic oilunder pressure to be directed to the ram cylinder 36 and the doorcylinder 48. The solenoid is interconnected to both hydraulic cylinderssuch that when the compactor 10 is actuated from rest, the ram cylinder36 is caused to extend and the door cylinder 48 to retract. When the ram38 reaches the end of its travel a pressure sensor switch 102 causes thesolenoid 100 to reverse the flow of hydraulic oil so that the ramcylinder 36 will retract and the door cylinder 48 will extend closingthe door 18. If the ram strikes an object in the refuse that resists theinitial advance of the ram, a preset pressure limit is reached and thecycle is repeated until the cutting members in the form of triangularteeth 39 on the ram blade 38 penetrate the obstruction allowing thecomplete travel of the ram blade 38. Operation continues untilsufficient refuse has been sent through the compactor so that the refuseremaining in the receiving chamber 30 of the compactor is below thelevel of the photoelectric relay 34.

A full container sensing switch comprised of switch body 104 and asensing arm 106 is mounted on the bottom surface of the door assembly 18at its leading edge 50 so that when the door travels horizontally in thelongitudinal direction, the lever is caused to sweep the area directlyabove the top of the container 20 positioned below the top of the doorassembly. When said container is full of refuse, the sensing arm 106will strike the refuse, activating the switch, causing the solenoid 100to become deactivated at the end of that cycle of the ram blade 38. Therarn blade is then at its rest position, and the door 18 is closed. Whenthe hydraulic system is thus deactivated, the motor relay switch 107 canactivate the motor 56 causing the container feed assembly 22 to index.An extension member 108 projects from the bottom surface of eachcontainer 20 approximately equidistant from the sides 20b and in closeproximity to the outer surface 20c so that it will not interfere withthe lower base plate 66 during the container travel around theelliptical path. When the extension member 108 strikes the arm 109 ofthe indexing switch 110 located on the forward edge surface of the lowerbase plate 66, the motor relay 107 is deactivated and the container feedassembly immediately comes to rest.

The above compaction and indexing operation continues with thecontainers moving in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2until all containers are full. To determine when the all full conditionis reached the control panel includes a resetable counter 112. When allor some of the containers 20 are emptied by the operator he sets thecounter at the number of containers empty and available for refuse. Whenthe preset number is reached the counter 112 activates the all fullrelay 114. This relay deactivates the compaction and indexing systemsand causes the all full signal 116 on the control panel to becomeactivated.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changescan be made in this embodiment without departing from the principles andspirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appendedclaims. For example, in applications where space permits, a greaternumber of containers could be utilized to make the compaction systemcapable of automatic operation for a longer period of time beforerequiring emptying of the containers. Similarly, the containersthemselves could be replaced with wheeled platforms or skids upon whichremovable drums or other containers could be placed.

What is claimed is:

l. A refuse compaction system comprising a cyclical compactor whereinthe compacted refuse is emitted in a substantially continuous stream ofseparable slugs, a deflecting plate mounted obliquely to said stream ofrefuse and positioned to intersect the path of said stream of refuse;laterally operative door beneath said deflecting plate, said door beingadapted to apply an axial force to said stream of refuse at one of saidslugs substantially in the direction of movement of said stream suchthat said axial force encourages separation of said slugs.

2. A refuse compaction system in accordance with claim 1 furtherincluding a plurality of vertical containers for receiving said refuseand means for automatically positioning said containers one at a timebelow said door so that compacted refuse falls into said containers forstorage and removal.

3. A refuse compaction system in accordance with claim 2 wherein saidautomatic positioning means includes a multiple of containers, saidcontainers traveling in a continuous path beneath said door, such thatsaid containers, throughout their travel, remain substantially withinthe horizontal projection of the cyclical compactor.

4. A refuse compaction system in accordance with claim 2 wherein thecompactor, the laterally operative door, and the container positioningmeans are operatively related such that when the compactor is emittingrefuse said door is in the open position and said container indexingmeans is stationary, and when said container positioning means isactivated said door is closed and said compactor element not emittingrefuse.

1. A refuse compaction system comprising a cyclical compactor whereinthe compacted refuse is emitted in a substantially continuous stream ofseparable slugs, a deflecting plate mounted obliquely to said stream ofrefuse and positioned to intersect the path of said stream of refuse;laterally operative door beneath said deflecting plate, said door beingadapted to apply an axial force to said stream of refuse at one of saidslugs substantially in the direction of movement of said stream suchthat said axial force encourages separation of said slugs.
 2. A refusecompaction system in accordance with claim 1 further including aplurality of vertical containers for receiving said refuse and means forautomatically positioning said containers one at a time below said doorso that compacted refuse falls into said containers for storage andremoval.
 3. A refuse compaction system in accordance with claim 2wherein said automatic positioning means includes a multiple ofcontainers, said containers traveling in a continuous path beneath saiddoor, such that said containers, throughout their travel, remainsubstantially within the horizontal projection of the cyclicalcompactOr.
 4. A refuse compaction system in accordance with claim 2wherein the compactor, the laterally operative door, and the containerpositioning means are operatively related such that when the compactoris emitting refuse said door is in the open position and said containerindexing means is stationary, and when said container positioning meansis activated said door is closed and said compactor element not emittingrefuse.